SACO — All they wanted was a chance. Not just to get to the girls lacrosse state championship game.

That’s a trip that Kennebunk had already made two years running. But a chance to win the championship.

The No. 4 Rams gave themselves the opportunity to win that elusive first state title by defeating No. 2 Thornton Academy, 8-4, to claim their second straight Western Maine Class A championship, and third Western Region title in a row, after having claimed the Class B crown in 2007.

“It feels amazing,” said Kennebunk senior attack Maggie Lavoie. “Because we’ve worked so hard all year to get back.”

The Rams (12-3) will meet Eastern champs Brunswick, Saturday (12:30 p.m.) in the state championship game, to be held at Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland.

“Everyone’s really excited,” said Kennebunk junior defender Danni Rafferty. “I think we showed we’re one of the best teams throughout the playoffs. We want to show we’re the best one.”

Said Rams coach Annie Barker, “I think it’s our time. I really truly do think it’s our chance to go for it.”

Kennebunk led from the 42-second mark on, after Jamie Spang netted the first of her four goals, this one coming on a free-position attempt.

When Spang scored again less than four minutes later, a Rams offensive show seemed to be in the queue.

Such turned out not to be the case however.

Thornton’s Libby Marsano scored with 5:40 gone, making it 2-1, a score that held until the final seconds of the half.

“Even though we were down,” said Thornton coach Craig Agreste, “I was happy with how we were playing. We wanted to slow it down.”

Even so, scoring chances for the Trojans were limited by a patient and prepared Kennebunk defense.

“Coach (Barker) had done her research,” said junior defender Danni Rafferty. “We knew who to look for. We knew that one of their best players (senior sniper Libby Marsano) was a leftie. So we were told to hang on her left side, make her go right, don’t let her in. Just stand our ground.”

Both goalies made crucial saves during the half to keep matters tight.

Thornton’s Haley Nason dipped low to make a stop on Lavoie, which kept the Trojans within two goals.

Then, after Marsano’s goal Kennebunk net minder Taylor Vaughan thwarted a chance by Hannah McAvoy.

As the half ticked away, Spang added to the Rams’ lead by curling behind the Thornton goal, exploding around the right post, and lashing in the Rams’ third tally.

More than widening the margin by one, Spang’s goal gave the Rams a big boost going into the second half.

“It definitely put us over the edge,” said Lavoie. “That added another layer that put us over the top.”

It took Lavoie just 25 seconds of the second half to apply one more coat, when she shifted to her left hand and fired in the first of her three goals, making it 4-1.

“Maggie’s goals were critical,” said Barker, “because she switched to her left hand. We’ve worked on that for a really long time. And she’s finally (found) that it works. We’re trying to get them all to do it, because the goalie’s not going to know it’s coming.”

Thornton did its best to stay with the Rams as the second half moved along, thanks in large part to goals by Jackie Costello and Ellie Arsenault.

Arsenault’s goal, a low shot from the right wing, brought the Trojans to within 5-3 with 11:51 gone.

“We wanted it really bad,” said Arsenault. “We played as hard as we could.”

However, Kennebunk responded with three goals in a span of 2:26, ballooning the Rams’ lead to 8-3.

“I think we kept up with them really well,” Arsenault said. “Then they started winning the draws, and we kind of fell apart a little bit.”

Lavoie had a hand in each goal, setting up Taylor Crowley for the first one, then finishing off the other two herself.

Thornton’s Erika Roth finished the scoring with 28 seconds left in the game.

— Contact Dan Hickling at 282-1535 ext. 318 or dhickling@journaltribune.com.